Max Verstappen showcases dominance by winning the British Grand Prix

For Verstappen the inexorable march to his third title continued unabated and, indeed, at a pace at this rate that will ensure he seals it well before even the run-in to the season finale.

His victory was never really in doubt, even as the crowd enjoyed a surge of uproarious celebration as Norris threw the script out of the window and burst past Verstappen from second on the grid to take the lead up the inside of turn one.

Hamilton was the net winner in sealing that third place but Norris was less enamoured. He had wanted to take the soft tyres as Hamilton had but the team stuck with their plan of using the harder tyres, the slower rubber leaving him vulnerable at the restart.

The pair’s battle illustrated that in Verstappen’s wake there is an almighty tussle taking place that has just become all the more fascinating. Indeed, it must be considered that were Verstappen not in this field, this would be an absolutely captivating season.